Ishan Kishan hinted at a major tactical shift after Sunrisers Hyderabad’s dominant 57-run win over Rajasthan Royals, suggesting he may continue to step down from wicketkeeping duties and focus more on captaincy in IPL 2026.
Kishan led from the front with a blistering 91 off 44 balls to help SRH post an impressive 216 for 6 after early setbacks. With Abhishek Sharma dismissed for a duck and Travis Head falling for 18, the onus fell on the skipper to hold the innings together. Kishan responded with a measured start and then stepped up, hitting eight fours and six sixes to take the game away from Rajasthan.
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“We have been scoring 200 plus consistently so the belief was there,” Kishan said after the match. “The aim was to take the game deep and allow players like Abhishek to play freely because when he gets going the total can reach 260 or more.”
YOUTH SUPPORT BRINGS RESULTS
The match also marked a turning point in SRH’s bowling approach, p Kishan supports debutants Praful Hingand Sakib Hussain in front of experienced options. The move paid immediate dividends as Rajasthan slumped to 9 for 5 in the first three overs while chasing 217.
“You have to see how hungry your young bowlers are,” Kishan said. “They have been working with our coaches all season and learning from experienced players. They were ready and we felt it was the right time to give them a chance, especially at home.”
The young pacers justified that belief by sharing eight wickets between them as SRH bundled out Rajasthan for 159 in 19 overs despite a late comeback.
THE CAPTAIN HAS PRIORITY
Kishan’s decision to step back from wicketkeeping duties was another notable tactical challenge. He revealed that the move was aimed at improving communication and execution on the pitch.
“As captain, I felt at times that there was some miscommunication,” he explained. “When you’re holding back, you don’t always have enough time to talk to the pitchers about plans.
By staying closer to the action, Kishan could guide his bowlers more effectively and adjust field settings in real time.
“It’s better to be there, discuss what they’re going to play and set the field accordingly. That was the plan and I think it worked well,” he said, adding that approach could continue.
With both the bat and tactical decisions clicking, Kishan’s developing leadership could prove crucial for SRH as they look to build momentum in the tournament.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
14 Apr 2026 04:00 IST
